firing line

The truth of values In Chris Jones' April 28 column "Recognizing true values," there are a few problems with his analysis of "value" in society.

Firstly, even though I seriously doubt that Jones would regard "market forces" as independent from human action, his terminology in describing economics portrays too abstract of a notion of global markets.

The sex-ed light In response to "Texas' youth left in the dark" (The Firing Line, April 24): Not only does Texas have the highest rate of teen pregnancy, but it is likely to stay that way.

The State Board of Education, the elected body that sets education standards, is expected to continue allowing Texas schools to use abstinence-only instead of comprehensive sexual education.

Criminalizing FLDS parents I'm not a lawyer, but based on all the commentary on domestic partner benefits, it's safe to say that the Texas Constitution provides that marriage is limited to the union of one man and one woman and that any legal status identical or similar to marriage cannot be created or recognized.

Villas redemption I wrote a firing line a couple of weeks ago regarding the Villas on Guadalupe and their property upkeep (or lack thereof) regarding the broken security gates ("Villa controversy," The Firing Line, April 9).

Since all of these problems became evident, I have seen real effort from the Villas management to fix these problems.

Why do Texas officials, especially those from Child Protective Services, seem so intent on punishing the mothers and children of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints ranch in El Dorado?

The actions of Texas officials against the FLDS community in El Dorado may be a tragedy in the making, at least for the moms and kids concerned.

Benefit policy deters student I am not a student of the University of Texas at Austin, but was considering it.

I was accepted into the graduate advertising program, which is well-respected in the field, and I was also offered a fellowship that covered tuition and living expenses for one year.

Disgraceful Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter's efforts to become the most disgraced former president in our nation's history received a large boost this week, as he plans to meet with the Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal ("Ex-president offers to be foreign communicator," April 15).

SAE's light punishment I just read the story on Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and their new "no hazing policy" in response to the death of one of their pledges in November 2006 ("Fraternity agrees to prohibit hazing, underage drinking," April 16).

I was shocked that the University took no disciplinary action against the fraternity and that they remain an on-campus organization in good standing.

Stand-up government Although I congratulate the Student Government in passing legislation aimed to improve student participation, I don't believe that this is the way for them better the system.

Banning the ticket system seems to be a good proposal. However, this will hurt independent students who wish to ally with other independents running for SG position.

Flock of conservatives Both YCT responses to "Modern-day witch hunt?" (April 10) in Monday's Firing Line had good intentions (which is new for YCT) but were misguided ("Livin la vida liberal," The Firing Line, April 14).

Both claim that powerful liberals not living by the ideals they preach is proof that liberal ideas are wrong.